There is streaky and then there is Mookie Betts in 2025. What began with optimism quickly veered into concern as the Dodgers’ star endured a season filled with hiccups. First came a brutal stomach illness that cost Betts nearly 20 pounds and a trip to Japan with the team. Then, just when the star looked to be back—hitting a walk-off bomb and rallying fans—Betts tumbled into another cold stretch. By late June, he was hitting just .162 over a 10-game skid, despite the first multi-hit game since June 7 coming against the Rockies. That sigh of relief? Still on hold.
It is not just the average that is bothering the fans—it is the overall offensive dip. As of the last check, the star is hitting .256 with a .335 OBP and a .392 slugging percentage. Each of the data points would be career lows if the season ended today. Betts has managed only six home runs in the last 73 games, and his already declining bat speed has the Dodgers fans wondering if we are witnessing the early signs of age catching up. While Dave Roberts insists Mookie Betts is not moving from the No. 2 spot in the lineup, the concern hangs: How long can you wait on a bat that has gone so quiet?
Betts, for his part, has not shied away from the interaction. When asked related to whether the transition to shortstop had affected the performance at the plate, Betts shut the door on excuses. “Last year, I think I was about to win MVP,” Betts said to reporters. “I was doing way more work last year than now. So, no, that’s not the case. … There’s no excuse. It’s just a matter of me getting it done”, he added. It is a confident message—however, it has not matched his box scores.
This message, though, puts more force on the second half. While he thinks the defensive load is not to blame, some analysts are not so sure. At 32, and now entrenched full-time at shortstop, the Dodgers star’s value has transformed—Betts 2.0 bWAR highlights that he is still elite defensively. However, at the plate, the pop is just not available. If the star does not flip the switch quickly, what was assumed to be another MVP-caliber campaign could quietly become his most forgettable yet.
As Mookie Betts continues to fight for form in a season full of ups and downs, the force to reinforce the Dodgers’ roster before the trade deadline grows louder—and for good reason.
Dodgers roster gaps add to pressure as deadline decision looms
If there is one area where the team is visibly dragging its feet, it is left field. Michael Conforto, despite being a regular starter, has been batting below .200 since mid-April, providing limited confidence as the Dodgers target a deep postseason run. Dave Roberts has not pulled the plug just yet, however, the manager has admitted that the upcoming few weeks will determine whether transformations are made. With the trade deadline coming quickly, the margin for error and patience is running thin.
However, it is not just the outfield that is raising eyebrows. The bullpen has logged more innings than any other team in baseball and the wear is showing. Phillips is done for the season and righties Blake Treinen and Brusdar Graterol will not return until after the All-Star break. Dodgers president Andrew Friedman could dig for a cost-effective righty reliever, however, with the team relying on aging stars like Kirby Yates, a fresh star could not be a luxury—it could be a necessity.
Then there is the rotation crisis, which began as a surplus in spring and unraveled quickly into a scramble. Injuries to Tyler Glasnow, Blake Snell and Tony Gonsolin have forced the team into a near-constant shuttle between Triple-A and the big leagues. While Sheehan looks close to returning and Kershaw is chasing history with vintage flair, durability remains a wild card. Unsurprisingly, some say a starting pitcher tops the team’s wish list. If the team needs Betts and the offense to thrive, bolstering the rotation is a non-negotiable.
The Dodgers are at a pivotal crossroads—where Mookie Betts battles at the plate mirror larger roster issues, which can not be ignored. As the trade deadline approaches, tough concerns need to be answered and tougher decisions need to be made. Whether it is Betts rediscovering groove and the management reinforcing the roster, the team’s championship hopes hang in the balance.
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